TONI BRAXTON

“The Heat”

½ La Face Records

Along with D’Angelo and Sisqo, Toni Braxton is at the forefront of contemporary R&B.

The sap and the saccharine that have been the hallmarks of the genre, often reducing it to mush, are nowhere in sight on Braxton’s new album – her first since the bankruptcy that nearly crushed her career.

The singer is seductive, sexy and strong for the dozen-song disc.

The opener, “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” is an attention-grabber musically, and its girl rage gives the lyrics an anthem-like quality.

It starts with a flamenco rhythm that threads it way through the entire song, as Braxton skips from her rich alto into the thin air of her upper register. It is a great song that tells all those who wrote the singer off that she’s back.

There are a few soulful ballads, polished yet edgy, that will appeal to her longtime fans, but this disc will also attract a new generation of ears accustomed to aggressive hip-hop beats.

To that end, there are even vocal contributions by guest stars Left Eye Lopes and Dr. Dre.

It is a fresh approach, which hitches compelling rhythms with passionate songs of love.

One of the best examples is “Spanish Guitar,” on which Braxton repeatedly, lustily, pleads: “I want to be in your arms like a Spanish guitar, all night long.” (Amazingly “Spanish Guitar” was written by the queen of mush, Diane Warren.)

Braxton does it again on the electronically funkafied “Gimme Some,” the peppiest, most radio-ready tune on the disc.

“The Heat” is Toni Braxton at her best, a no-risk disc for those who love R&B.

PAUL McCARTNEY AND VARIOUS CLASSICAL ARTISTS

“A Garland for Linda”

EMI Classical

In tribute to his late wife, Linda McCartney, Sir Paul and eight British classical composers have created a requiem called “A Garland for Linda.”

You can play this collection loud, but it remains a pretty, quiet record.

It is contemplative, heartfelt and tender, and expresses the sadness of being deprived of love. That will resonate clearly with those who have experienced the loss of a loved friend.

Of the 10 songs, Paul’s composition “Nova” and Giles Swayne’s “The Flight of the Swan” rank among the most joyous here.

Both composers choose to write in celebration of life rather than to ponder the essence of death.

McCartney is a man who has always been able to write smart, bright, pop lyrics, but here on “Nova” he battles his own demons, asking the angry question: “Are you there? God, are you there?,” which is answered in the chorus with the healing words “I am here in every song you sing.”

The concept was borrowed from the now obscure “A Garland for the Queen,” which celebrated the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

To connect the dots between the two works, McCartney opens this record with Vaughan Williams’ piece “Silence and Music,” which also served as the opening selection for Elizabeth’s tribute. Like McCartney and Giles, Williams’ time-tested composition is one of celebration.

Make no mistake about it – this is not a pop record. It’s sacred music, but it would feel as comfortable in a concert hall as in a cathedral, because it demonstrates the power of music to uplift sad minds.

VARIOUS ARTISTS

“VH1 Storytellers”

Interscope

There’s no question that this compilation featuring 15 of the best-known songs by 15 of the best-known artists in rock will have giant appeal. But the problem is, if you follow music, you’ve heard it all either on disc, radio, music TV or in your dentist’s chair.

It’s all good music, but it’s all too familiar. What’s the point of hearing the Pretenders sing “Back on the Chain Gang” again, or Dave Matthews perform “Crash” or James Taylor sing “Mexico?”

Undeniably, these are all great songs, but the featured artists bring little to the table that we haven already heard.

Jewel’s jazzy, scat-infused version of “Who Will Save Your Soul” and John Mellencamp’s rap ‘n’ roll “Jack and Diane” are the welcome exceptions on this disc.

It’s a good party disc that plays like a fine commercial-free contemporary-rock radio station or a great jukebox. The artists featured include David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow, Natalie Merchant and Elvis Costello.

B.B. KING

“Making Love Is Good for You”

MCA

After hearing the 14 tracks of “Making Love is Good For You,” you can’t help but think that 74-year-old B.B. King must be a stud and a half, because his new album is excellent, and he sounds great.

There’s some new material, as well as classics such as “Since I Fell For You.” It won’t happen, but I’d like to see the king of the blues put out a video of this ancient Buddy Johnson song. If he did, and MTV were smart enough to put it into rotation, it would soar up the charts. Other songs to listen for include a cover of “I Know” that rivals Bonnie Raitt’s version. The disc’s title track is also excellent.

It’s pretty early in the year for Grammy predictions, but bet on this disc to snag the award as best traditional blues album of the year.